Large Teepee (Tipi)

Here everybody uses lodgepole pine for tipi poles, which naturally grows long and straight. If its peeled it lasts for many many years. I suppose you could varnish or oil them if you wanted but I don't think I've ever seen anyone do that. It probably depends on what kind of wood you have available and your climate. Traditionally new poles would be made from the local wood when the tipi was moved so they where never intended to last forever.

There is nothing special about having exactly 13 poles, the idea is though that you have enough that there is a pole every couple of feet around the base. This makes the walls very solid and strong and holds a round shape. Larger tipis may need more poles, smaller ones, less....but more is generally better.

But yes, any long, fairly straight tree would work. For a full sized tipi you want your poles to be about 3-4" in diameter at the base and at least 1.5-2" at the point where they cross at the top. Two of the poles are usually a bit longer than the rest and used on the outside to control the smoke flaps.

If you are planing to live in it you will want a tipi liner. It makes them a lot more comfortable and easier to heat and keep out drafts or creatures.

Its basically another layer of fabric attached to the inside of the poles with laces, about 4-5 feet high, that runs along the base of the walls. The bottom part folds against the ground, making a kind of seal that keeps out drafts which would normally be drawn in under the outer wall.

https://www.manataka.org/images/Engtipi1.jpg

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Large Teepee (Tipi)